What populations does the organization serve?

Programs serve people who are blind or visually impaired with guide dogs, veterans with PTSD or mobility limitations with service dogs, and children with autism with service dogs. Additionally, facility dogs are placed with professionals in hospitals, schools, courtrooms, and police departments for animal-assisted intervention programs.

How much do the service dogs and training cost?

All dogs and services are provided at no cost to eligible applicants. The organization covers expenses for breeding, puppy raising, professional training, in-residence instruction, and ongoing client services through fundraising, donations, and volunteer support. Recipients pay nothing for their service dog partnerships.

What is the in-residence team training program?

After expert matching, recipients come to the Sylmar campus for intensive training living on-site while learning proper care and handling of their service dogs. Professional trainers provide personalized instruction ensuring each team develops skills for successful partnership. Client services continue providing support after graduation.

How can people participate as volunteers?

The 500-volunteer network includes puppy raisers who care for young dogs during critical development period, campus tour guides helping with community education, and supporters assisting with events and operations. Volunteer contributions enable the organization to provide service dogs at no cost to recipients.

International Guiding Eyes Inc

Sylmar, CA · Founded 1948

Training and providing service dogs at no cost

Primary audience

Disabled persons

Work area

Service animals

Topic

Independence support

Contact

Bill Engler

Website Contact

About Organization

Transforms lives through partnerships with service dogs by providing professionally trained, expertly matched service dogs to people who are blind, veterans with PTSD, and children with autism. Based in Sylmar, CA, Guide Dogs of America offers all dogs and services at no cost to eligible applicants from throughout the United States and Canada, with 60 employees and annual revenue of $9.8 million.

What They Focus On

Service Dog Training

Breeding, raising, and professionally training guide dogs for blind individuals, service dogs for veterans and children with autism, and facility dogs for institutions.

Expert Matching

Carefully pairing each applicant with appropriate dog based on lifestyle, needs, and compatibility, ensuring successful long-term partnerships.

No-Cost Access

Providing all dogs, training, and ongoing support at no charge to eligible applicants from United States and Canada through fundraising and volunteer support.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2022)

$9.8M

-27.1% vs 2021

Expenses (2022)

$7.7M

+12.6% vs 2021

Assets (2022)

$65.9M

+9.5% vs 2021

Employees (2022)

+15.4% vs 2021

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2022	$9,765,885	$7,719,137	$65,905,731	60
2021	$13,395,649	$6,854,210	$60,204,167	52
2020	$19,655,322	$6,617,811	$68,060,719	53
2019	$7,072,436	$6,259,682	$47,981,728	52
2018	$11,348,929	$5,950,375	$46,313,432	54

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Breeding and Raising

Breeding specially selected dogs with optimal temperament and training 500 volunteer puppy raisers to develop young dogs.
02

Professional Training

Guide and service dog trainers work with dogs through canine development program teaching skills for blind, veteran, autism support.
03

Expert Matching

Evaluating applicants and carefully matching each person with appropriate dog based on lifestyle, needs, and compatibility.
04

In-Residence Instruction

Bringing teams to Sylmar campus for personalized training in dog care, handling, and use, followed by client services support.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by International Guiding Eyes Inc

Guide Dog Training

Breeding, raising, and training guide dogs for blind and visually impaired individuals with personalized instruction in dog care and use.

Service Dogs

Training service dogs for veterans with PTSD or mobility limitations and children with autism, providing independence and support.

Facility Dog Placement

Placing dogs with professionals in hospitals, schools, courtrooms, and police departments for animal-assisted intervention programs.

Team Training

In-residence program teaching recipients proper care and use of service dogs through hands-on instruction at Sylmar campus.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind International Guiding Eyes Inc.

Contact the team Contact

Jamie Hunt

Director of Guide Dog Programs(818)

Full-time

Compensation: $110,000

Scott West

Director of Information Technology(818)

Full-time

Compensation: $106,049

Tony Blevins

President | Director(818)

Greg Steinmetz

Sr. Manager of Admissions & Graduate Services(818)

Abigail Gertson-Garcia

Canine Development Assistant(818)

Tracy L. Diaz

Director of Development & Marketing(818)

Natalie A. Ergler

Breeding Department Manager(818)

Chris Medina

Kennel Manager(818)

Ceci Sanford

Director of Animal Health(818)

Bill Engler

Vice President

2 hrs/week

Gary Holt

Vice President

1 hrs/week

Lee Pearson

Vice President

2 hrs/week

Paul Morton

Vice President

2 hrs/week

Russell Gittlen

President

Full-time

Debra Grossman

Dir. Of Legal Affa

Full-time

Compensation: $119,000

Richard Floyd

First Vice Pres

1 hrs/week

Milestones

1948

Organization Founded

1948

Established to provide guide dogs for blind and visually impaired individuals, beginning mission to transform lives through service dog partnerships.

1980s

Sylmar Campus

1980s

Developed headquarters in Sylmar, California with facilities for breeding, training, veterinary care, kennel operations, and in-residence team training.

2010s

Expanded Populations

2010s

Added service dog programs for veterans with PTSD or mobility limitations and children with autism, broadening mission beyond guide dogs.

2020s

Volunteer Network

2020s

Mobilized 500 volunteers including puppy raisers, campus tour guides, and program supporters enabling no-cost services to recipients.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Yvette Sheehan Secretary-Treas 45.00 hrs/week · $80,850

Amador Chavez Director 0.50 hrs/week

Arthur Maratea Director 0.50 hrs/week

Brian Bryant Director 0.50 hrs/week

Carla Siegel Director 0.50 hrs/week

David Chartrand Director 0.50 hrs/week

David Sullivan Director 0.50 hrs/week

Dora Cervantes Director 0.50 hrs/week

Fred Dibenedetto Director 0.50 hrs/week

Gary Allen Director 0.50 hrs/week

James Beno Director 0.50 hrs/week

James Conigliaro Director 0.50 hrs/week

James Hyldahl Director 0.50 hrs/week

Jenny Wetzel Director 0.50 hrs/week

John Geary Director 0.50 hrs/week

Jon Holden Director 0.50 hrs/week

Karen Shultz Director 0.50 hrs/week

Linda Stanley Director 0.50 hrs/week

Lorri Bernson Director 0.50 hrs/week

Mark Blondin Director 2.00 hrs/week

Maxine Singer Director 0.50 hrs/week

Neal Stehly Director 0.50 hrs/week

Philip Gruber Director 0.50 hrs/week

Randy Erwin Director 0.50 hrs/week

Richard Guzman Director 1.00 hrs/week

Richard Johnsen Director 0.50 hrs/week

Rickey Wallace Director 0.50 hrs/week

Robert Martinez Director 0.50 hrs/week

Robert Petroff Director 0.50 hrs/week

Robert Roach Director 0.50 hrs/week

Salvador Vasquez Director 0.50 hrs/week

Steve Galloway Director 1.00 hrs/week

Steve Hermes Director 2.00 hrs/week

Thomas Buffenbarger Director 0.50 hrs/week

Thomas Janecek Director 1.00 hrs/week

Thomas Olzak Director 1.00 hrs/week

Weldon Granger Director 0.50 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2022)

$446K

Highest Paid

$126K

Debra Grossman

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Debra Grossman	DIR. Of Legal Affa	$119,000	$7,488	$126,488	40
Jamie Hunt	DIR. Of Programs	$110,000	$7,488	$117,488	40
Scott West	DIR. Of IT	$106,049	$7,488	$113,537	40
Yvette Sheehan	Secretary-TREAS	$80,850	$7,488	$88,338	45

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Yvonne Martin	DIR. Of Programs	$120,000	$7,488	$127,488	40
Debra Grossman	DIR. Of Legal Affa	$115,000	$7,488	$122,488	40
Kevin Conrad	DIR. Of Animal Hea	$105,000	—	$105,000	40
Yvette Sheehan	Secretary-TREAS	$77,000	$7,488	$84,488	45

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Yvonne Martin	Director Of Programs	$115,360	—	$115,360	45
Rhonda L Bissell	Director Of Development	$103,000	—	$103,000	40
Debra Grossman	Director Of Legal Affairs	$100,000	—	$100,000	40
Yvette Sheehan	Secretary	$72,098	—	$72,098	45

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Robert Rice	Manager Information Systems	$136,966	—	$136,966	45
Yvonne Martin	Director Of Program	$100,428	—	$100,428	45
Rhonda L Bissell	Director	$96,631	—	$96,631	45

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Robert Rice	Manager Information Systems	$139,026	—	$139,026	45
Yvonne Martin	Director Of Program	$109,075	—	$109,075	45
Rhonda L Bissell	Secretary/TREAS	$93,680	—	$93,680	45

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$288K Grants Received

9 Organizations

Top Funders

9 total

American Online Giving Foundation Inc.

$80K

Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.

$75K

Transportation Communications Unioniam

$68K

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$34K

Wiregrass United Way Inc.

$7K

Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing

$7K

Jewish Community Foundation Of Los Angeles

$6K

National Charity League Inc.

$6K

Give Lively Foundation Inc.

$6K

American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Transportation Communications Unioniam Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Wiregrass United Way Inc. Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing Jewish Community Foundation Of Los Angeles National Charity League Inc. Give Lively Foundation Inc.

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with International Guiding Eyes Inc

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(818) 362-5834 (818) 833-6429

Social

Visit Website

13445 Glenoaks Blvd Sylmar, CA 91342

International Guiding Eyes Inc

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Breeding and Raising

Professional Training

Expert Matching

In-Residence Instruction

Programs and Initiatives

Guide Dog Training

Service Dogs

Facility Dog Placement

Team Training

Team & Leadership

Jamie Hunt

Scott West

Tony Blevins

Greg Steinmetz

Abigail Gertson-Garcia

Tracy L. Diaz

Natalie A. Ergler

Chris Medina

Ceci Sanford

Bill Engler

Gary Holt

Lee Pearson

Paul Morton

Russell Gittlen

Debra Grossman

Richard Floyd

Milestones

Organization Founded

Sylmar Campus

Expanded Populations

Volunteer Network

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Contact

Email

Phone

Social